City of Galena City Council met Feb, 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
22C-0038 – CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Renner called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Chambers at 101 Green Street.
22C-0039 – ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, the following members were present: Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Renner
Absent: McCoy
22C-0040 – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
Mayor Renner announced a quorum of Board members present to conduct City business.
22C-0041 – PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was recited.
22C-0042 - REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEE
No reports.
22C-0043 – CITIZENS COMMENTS
Alana Turner, Owner, Poopsie’s & Spotsie’s – Turner stated parking is the one thing we need to keep working on. She feels going to smart parking would be awesome. She urged the council to consider the paid parking. She advised customers do not have a problem paying to park. She noted many customers ask how much a parking ticket is and consider it cheap parking.
CONSENT AGENDA CA22-03
22C-0044 – APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 2022
22C-0009 – ACCEPTANCE OF THE DECEMBER 2021 FINANCIAL REPORT
22C-0046 – APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN LOAN FORMS AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE LEAD SERVICE LINE PROJECT
22C-0047 - APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY ALICIA EDMONDS AND MEGAN WEBER TO HOST A HALF MARATHN AND 8K RUN ON THE GALENA RIVER TRAIL, 8:00 A.M. TO NOON, OCTOBER 29, 2022
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Bernstein, to approve Consent Agenda, CA22-03.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
22C-0048 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON A REQUEST BY THE GALENA KIWANIS CLUB FOR FOURTH OF JULY PARADE, STREET DANCE AND FIREWORKS
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the request by the Galena Kiwanis Club for Fourth of July parade, street dance and fireworks amended to include giving the Kiwanis a $5,000 donation.
Discussion: Hahn advised they are also asking for a donation. He recommended donating $5,000, stating it is a good benefit for the city, citizens and visitors.
Amended
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Westemeier, to include giving the Kiwanis a $5,000 donation.
Amended
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
Roll Call: AYES: Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
22C-0049 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON REQUEST BY THE WORKSHOP FOR A FESTIVAL PERMIT FOR A CRAFT FAIR AT THE GALENA ART AND RECREATION CENTER, NOVEMBER 19, 2022
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the request by the workshop for a festival permit for a craft fair at the Galena Art and Recreation Center, November 19, 2022, waiving the $25 permit fee per vendor and amended to eliminate waiving the fee.
Discussion: Hahn feels the workshop is a good organization that does great things for the handicapped in the community.
Renner voiced concern with waiving the fee. If the City waives the fee for one, they would have to do it for all. The fee was established to keep people from coming in free of charge. Renner stated he would prefer to donate rather than waive the permit fee. Council agreed.
Amended
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Wienen, to amend the motion to eliminate waiving the fee.
Amended
Motion
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Westemeier, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Kieffer
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Renner
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Kieffer
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
22C-0050 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON AN AGREEMENT WITH JO CARROLL ENERGY FOR THE PURCHASE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Kieffer, to approve an agreement with Jo Carroll Energy for the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits, 22C-0050.
Discussion: Bernstein feels this is a great opportunity. We have been working on moving away from fossil fuels for years and we finally got to the finish line. Hardly any cities have gotten this far. This will give the City additional credit with sustainability as a community. Hahn agreed adding it will also help the city on future grants going in this direction.
Bernstein thanked Mike Casper for his work in leading us to this.
Roll Call: AYES: Hahn, Kieffer, Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
22C-0051 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON DOWNTOWN PAY TO PARK PROPOSAL PROCESS
A motion to approve was made and later rescinded.
Discussion: Hahn stated he feels this is the best direction to go as 3 hour parking isn’t working. People are accustomed to paying to park wherever they go.
Kieffer feels the cost would be astronomical to get it set up and we would need to hire people to run it. Kieffer preferred to go back to the old way of monitoring three-hour parking.
Bernstein stated initially she was very supportive. She noted if the city were to move forward with this the plan would put a lot of kiosks on Main Street and kiosks are not very welcoming to visitors. Bernstein stated she would be inclined to go back to three-hour parking with proper enforcement and ticketing.
Westemeier stated he does like the idea of kiosks and people being able to pay with their phones; however, the initial cost will be $100,000. He recommended trying three-hour parking for another year. Westemeier advised, whoever is doing it needs to be consistent.
Wienen stated she was in favor of metered parking. Wienen feels something could be done for residents such as a free pass or tiered program. Wienen also recommended the lot at the old treatment plant should be a paid lot as well. She would prefer to see the city hire another police officer vs. hiring someone to mark tires.
Westemeier noted the kiosk system would consist of approximately thirty-two stations between Commerce and Main Streets. Each station is around $10,000. He advised a Community Service Officer would be a part-time position for the summer. He added having someone in the downtown on foot is good public relations.
Renner stated he was not in favor of paid parking at this time.
Council agreed to table action on this item until such time as all members had a chance to review the three proposals submitted.
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Wienen, to postpone item 22C-0053.
22C-0052 – PRESENTATION OF YEAR-END DEER HUNTING PROGRAM REPORT
A written report was presented to council. Hahn stated he felt everything went well and the hunters were very professional. He hopes to see it continue.
Wienen felt the numbers could be skewed a little from people not driving during COVID but felt, in general, it went great.
22C-0053 – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON LOAN REQUEST #3 FOR IEPA LOAN 17-5811 IN THE AMOUNT OF $159,223.63 INCLUDING ORIGIN DESIGN INVOICE #76783 AND FISCHER EXCAVATING PAY APPLICATION #2
Motion: Kieffer moved, seconded by Westemeier, to approve Loan Request #3 for IEPA Loan 17-5811 in the amount of $159,223.63 including Origin Design invoice #76783 and Fischer Excavating pay application #2.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Westemeier, Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
22C-0054 – WARRANTS
Motion: Bernstein moved, seconded by Wienen, to approve the Warrants as presented, 22C 0054.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Wienen, Bernstein, Hahn, Westemeier, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
22C-0055 – ALDERPERSONS’ COMMENTS
Alderman Hahn wished all a “Happy Valentine’s Day”.
22C-0056 – CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S COMMENTS
Thank you – Moran thanked Mike Casper for taking the initiative in the project. It speaks a lot about Mike Casper and Jo Carroll Energy when the CEO takes on a project and makes it happen.
22C-0057 – MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Renner thanked staff and Jo Carroll Energy for their fine cooperation. Spring is coming!
22C-0058 – ADJOURNMENT
Motion: Hahn moved, seconded by Bernstein, to adjourn.
Discussion: None.
Roll Call: AYES: Bernstein, Hahn, Westemeier, Wienen, Kieffer, Renner
NAYS: None
Absent: McCoy
The motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
http://www.cityofgalena.org/documents/filelibrary/side_tabs/agendas__minutes/city_council_minutes/2022/cc021422_C52119F104D4A.pdf
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